This fall will be three years since Tallahassee Community College hired Chuck Moore to lead its athletic program.
Moore cherishes being the institution’s Director of Athletics while planning how to build the program to be one of the best in the nation.
“I still wake up every day, thanking God, like, ‘Really, this is what I get to do for a living?’ I feel so blessed,” Moore told theTallahassee Democrat.
“It’s a wonderful campus with amazing leaders all over this place.”
As his third year at TCC approaches, Moore is implementing new projects for Eagles athletics.
TCC recently renovated the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms and the athletic weight room.
The TCC baseball and softball facilities are getting chairbacks, overhangs, and press box renovations. Moore also plans to improve the dugouts, fields, scoreboards, and practice facilities.
TCC’s campus recreation center’s upgrades are also underway.
Moore emphasized his appreciation for the TCC Foundation, led by Heather Mitchell and Alison Fleishmann, and the college’s administration for supporting the renovations and other endeavors such as scholarships.
“My list is endless. But it’s great to see the progress that we are making right now,” Moore said.
“We’re still moving and pushing forward. We have unbelievable support from the college, especially when you look at the renovations and equipment we need. They’re getting behind us and helping us take that next step.”
Tallahassee Community College athletic director Chuck Moore makes hires to 'grow culture'
Moore has made several hires since accepting TCC’s athletic director job in November 2021.
In July 2022, Moore hired Bryan Henry to replace longtime TCC head baseball coach Mike McLeod, who retired. Moore did the same for TCC softball in July 2023 by bringing in Brynn Baca to replace Patti Townsend, who stepped down after 20 years.
Moore also made hires in men’s basketball (Corey Hendren), women’s basketball (Mercedes Corona), and women’s cross-country (Andy Merrill).
TCC also has new coaches for sports performance and mental performance.
“We have as great of staff as anybody could have in the U.S. and the state,” Moore said. “I look for coaches that can help come in and create, but also grow the culture I expect daily.”
TCC has served as a launching pad for next-level endeavors.
For example, former TCC head men’s basketball coach Rick Cabrera landed the same role with NCAA Division I program Northwestern State. Former TCC athletic director Rob Chaney is the Associate Director and Athletics Commissioner for the Florida College Systems Activities Association.
Additionally, former TCC baseball player Marco Dinges has played a vital role in Florida State’s return to the College World Series as the Seminoles’ designated hitter.
Moore hopes that TCC continues to provide opportunities for those who come through the system. He also wants to see all the TCC alums return home to fellowship with the Eagles of the past and present.
“I’m looking for an area where our student-athletes will become more involved when they leave here,” Moore said. “We have such a rich history, and we’re trying to find alumni who played here and get them back involved. That impacts our fundraising efforts and our environment when you come to see a game.”
Tallahassee Community College athletic director Chuck Moore looks to expand reach
TCC has adapted to the digital age.
Streaming is available for Eagles sports games on TCC Athletics’ website. It is a membership-based service, similar to Florida A&M’s Rattlers Plus application, where viewers can buy game streaming and playback from behind a paywall.
Moore plans to improve the live production. The TCC Foundation approved an innovation fund for athletics to purchase a new camera system.
TCC’s new Assistant for Athletics and Communication, Kyle Keith, oversees the project.
“Our live stream product is going to be elevated tremendously. That’s something we’re very proud of, and we’re working very diligently,” Moore said.
“We still want everybody to fill the bleachers up, but we have many players from around the US, and we want their families to be able to watch games.”
TCC operates five sports ― men’s basketball, baseball, women’s basketball, cross-country, and softball.
But opportunities to expand always run across Moore’s mind.
His dream add-on sport for TCC is beach volleyball, which is offered at FSU and in Florida high school sports. Whether played on collegiate or intramural level, Moore feels having courts will open doors to hosting beach volleyball tournaments on TCC’s campus.
“Beach volleyball is a rapidly emerging sport right now. That’s one near and dear because we’re in Florida,” Moore said.
Tallahassee Community College will soon be renamed to Tallahassee State College
Starting on July 1, Tallahassee Community College will be no more.
The school will be named Tallahassee State College, reflecting the institution’s offering of four-year degree programs for students.
“The foundation has been laid. We’re not just a two-year realm anymore, and that speaks to who we truly are and our identity,” Moore said about TCC’s upcoming name change.
“The name change is coming at such a perfect time. It can be a refresher that can jump in front of people and let them know we have a great product. They already see the impact the college is making on the community.
“I want to see us do the same in the athletic realm. So, I envision us becoming more involved in the community and creating programs that can leave a legacy.”
Moore, who’s been versed in junior and community colleges for over a decade, is excited to usher in a new era at TCC.
He also aims to make the TSC Eagles’ first season memorable.
“We want to be a proud beacon of success ― athletically, academically, and socially,” Moore said.
“We want people to say we’re a well-respected program. This is a place that people locally and nationwide can look at and say, ‘Wow, TSC is something special.’”
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email atgdthomas@tallahassee.comor on the app formerly known as Twitter@3peatgee.
